Philadelphia Eagles: RGIII could have worn the midnight green

Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy, left, hits Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III and is charged with a roughing the passer penalty during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

PHILADELPHIA — How close were the Eagles to making a move up in the draft for Robert Griffin III?

The rookie phenomenon remembers his combine conversation with Andy Reid if it was yesterday.

“Coach Reid told me that they were very interested in me, that you never know what can happen,” Griffin said on a conference call Wednesday. “But you know, I really enjoyed my meeting with them. But obviously things didn’t work out. So I’m here with the Redskins. And I’m proud to be here.”

In addition to trading places in the first round, the Washington Redskins shipped two No. 1 draft picks and a second-rounder to the St. Louis Rams to secure the second overall pick necessary to select Griffin. Quarterback Andrew Luck, also having a sensational rookie season, was the first overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts.

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In addition to getting together with Griffin at the scouting combine the Eagles personally worked out another top 10-drafted quarterback in Ryan Tannehill, selected by the Miami Dolphins.

The Eagles expressed interest in veteran quarterback Peyton Manning, more interested in joining the Denver Broncos.

When all was said and done, the Birds stuck with Mike Vick who is out indefinitely with a concussion.

The Cleveland Browns were heavily involved in talks to move up for Griffin. The Rams also let it be known there was a “mystery team” no one would have imagined inquiring about Griffin.

Griffin, the Heisman Trophy winner, didn’t quell speculation that team could have been the Eagles.

“I tried to keep an open mind,” Griffin said. “Once you declare for the draft there’s no telling what could happen. When I met with the Eagles at the combine I think that was probably the first time I thought that they were even thinking about drafting me or moving up to pick me. I just tried to keep an open mind.”

Reid also remembers the combine. Not nearly as viscerally as Griffin, though.

“I love talking to all of those quarterbacks,” Reid said. “And he was one of them. We weren’t in a position where we were going to be picking him but I wanted to see what he’s all about. And I liked what I saw. Yeah.”

Vick hasn’t recovered sufficiently from his concussion to begin the brain tests. The Eagles sent him home to rest Wednesday.

Reid wouldn’t rule Vick out Sunday but rookie Nick Foles is likely to start at quarterback when the Eagles take on the Redskins at FedEx Field.

If Foles wanted advice from Griffin about making that first NFL start, it would be simple.

“Just take what’s there,” Griffin said. “The coaches are going to put you in a good position to make plays. You’ve just got to go make them.”

Griffin ranks among the NFL leaders with a 65.6 completion percentage, a 93.9 passer rating and just three interceptions. That’s fewer picks than anyone in the league with 200 or more attempts except Tom Brady, who also has three.

Griffin has thrown eight touchdown passes and rushed for 529 yards and six TDs. He’s the first NFL quarterback with at least 1,900 passing yards and 500 rushing yards in his first nine games.

“I think Robert’s done a great job,” Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said. “He’s getting a feel for our system. We’re getting a feel for him. I like his production, how he’s handled himself, how he works. He’s got all the intangibles that you look for in a quarterback. Obviously he’s a great athlete as well who can make all the throws. I just think as he experiences defenses in the NFL he’ll just keep getting better and better.”

One of those intangibles Shanahan referenced was Griffin’s grasp of responsibility to his teammates. A few weeks ago he suffered a head injury that served as a wakeup call. Griffin didnt miss time. He intends to do whatever is necessary to avoid that.

“You don’t play not to get hurt,” Griffin said. “I had an experience early in the year with the concussion-like symptoms. I told my teammates I would play safer and make sure I was out there with them all the time. Consciously I make an effort to play smarter, get out of bounds, slide and things like that. It’s something that I make sure I drill myself on in practice so that when game day comes around I’m not having to think about that. I just go out there and react. The past couple games I’ve gotten down when I was supposed to and I think my teammates appreciate that.”

Defending Griffin is easier said than done. Typically quarterbacks have one or two big-time strengths. Griffin has it all - arm, mobility and ability to play the position. The Eagles want to try to keep him in the pocket despite his striking accuracy.

“They run some of the things that he ran at Baylor, which I think is smart,” Reid said. “Bringing a rookie in to start, you bring in some things that he is familiar with. He does that very well. You have the option game and the run game that you have to deal with. They are one of the top run teams in the NFL right now. They have a good, young running back and a good quarterback. Their offensive line is playing well.”

The Redskins haven’t managed a winning streak, though, and that’s an issue in spite of how close the losses have been.

“The thing that we can do better is win games,” Griffin said. “Personally I judge myself based on wins and losses. Right now we’re 3-6. I’m not doing very well.”